The Timbers released midfielder Michael O'Neill from his contract today so that he can pursue other playing opportunities abroad.
A real shame, but understandable since Michael would have had to go back to the UK this winter anyway due to the terms of his US visa. He provided a lot of vision, control and attacking-minded passing in midfield this year and at times looked a class above the other players on the field. Let's hope Michael's Green Card application goes smooothly (smoother than mine anyway!) and we see him in Portland again next year.
Good luck Michael!

Player UpdateThe timberlog would like to keep you up-to-date on the Timbers' players winter activities and the first piece of info is about Darren Sawatzky.
Darren will be playing indoor soccer in Kansas City (the Comets I think, formerly the Attack). A major reason for playing in Kansas City is so Darren can be closer to girlfriend Amy who is currently being treated there. Amy has started radiation treatment and will be coming to the end of her chemotherapy soon. Best wishes to them both.

Hopefully i'll be able to start a list of other Timbers' winter plans, so if any other players know what they're doing (and fancy some support from Timbers fans suffering soccer-withdrawal syndrome) let me know at timberlogATqwest.net

All that's left now is the sale of part or all of PFE, which is unlikely to impact sports fans--there will still be pro baseball and soccer here next season. The limited partners are talking to at least three potential buyers, all of whom are currently involved in sports and entertainment businesses. They expect to announce a deal involving a sale or change of management by Oct. 30. And while no prices have been revealed, it's hard to imagine how, in today's economy, they can get out of their investments without a loss.

also news that Brent Sancho is currently in Trinidad with the T&T national squad as they prepare for their WCQ match with Honduras. The squad have been hit hard this morning with the news that Rochester Rhino and T&T team mate Mickey Trotman died early Wednesday morning after a car accident. Not only was Trotman a fellow T&T team mate, but also played for Brent's former club Joe Public.

Rene Simoes eyes Sancho.
Shaun Fuentes.
Brent Sancho can expect to come under close scrutiny from Technical Director Rene Simoes. The former Joe Public player was called back for the Honduras clash this weekend but indicated that he was unsure of his participation because his present club Portland Timbers was in the quarter finals of the American A-League playoffs.
"It's always an honour to represent your country and I will always make the effort to come back and play. We have a new coach who doing a good job and getting the younger players involved and I want to be part of this," said Sancho.
Simoes said he got a good recommendation of Sancho but added that he felt it hard to understand how the player was overlooked at one time because of his dreadlocks hairstyle.

PFE top managers will get pink slipsMore front page PFE news this morning reporting that PFE's limited partners have decided to replace Marshall Glickman and Mark Gardiner with an "experienced sports management firm"

The three companies being considered as replacements include Oregon Arena Corp., which runs the Rose Garden and is controlled by Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen. But Oregon Arena Corp. is "not the leading candidate" to manage the city-owned stadium, said limited partner Peter Stott, president and CEO of Crown Pacific. Stott would not disclose the two other candidates.

"Everyone is concerned with where things are at," Timbers general manager Jim Taylor said. "And we all know without a shadow of a doubt is we can do better in a lot of areas.

...a summary of the positive things about the season (attendance, making the playoffs) and the things that can be improved on.

Howe and Taylor agreed, saying the Timbers need more speed and height as they prepare for next season.

"We probably had a little bit too much talent in our front line to give everyone a fair shake to start and get playing time," Taylor said. "That's where we got ourselves a little bit sideways. But the guys all handled it very well."

...and a quote about players returning next year.

Howe said it's too early to determine if there will be many changes between now and next season. Most players, including Napoleon, signed one-year contracts with option years.

"We'd love to have his services next year," Howe said.

Napoleon said, "If they, because of financial or any other reason, decide they don't want to pick up my option or renegotiate, then most likely I'll go back to (Major League Soccer). But I'm satisfied. I really enjoyed the year and my teammates."

I think it's sad that the players who have put so much into this year for the Timbers and the fans have to spend time worrying about their future here in the already uncertain world of pro-sports. Good luck guys!

Conkerslog!As the Timbers season fades into distant memory, to lay dormant for another 7 months, the timberlog turns it's head towards it's favorite winter sport. Yes! It's Conkers time!
I am, of course, in negotiation with the City of Portland and a number of influential (and rich!) Portland "names" to bring you an amenity-packed Conkers stadium to the Rose City in the near future. The aim is to attract the US National Conkers Championship to Portland and then if (When! I hear you cry!) Conkers is made an Olympic sport...well, let's just say that I’ve already had some encouraging meetings with the IOC!! Nuff Said!

"Both Mark and Marshall came in with creative ideas, brought the stadium in on time and on budget and put a good product on the field," Stott said. "The key ingredient that was missing was the day-by-day operation and a good profit plan that reflected a minor league operation. They had built it into a major league budget."

City finance officials insist the city is still protected if PFE is sold, or even if the group goes bankrupt. The teams can't play elsewhere. And any other operator, even PFE's lender in the case of a bankruptcy, would have to pay the same fees to the city as PFE.